Search

Walking While Black is Still a Crime

Walking while black — merely being black — still seems to be a crime in this country.

That certainly seems to be the moral of the tragedy in Sanford, Fla. From the news reports we've seen, George Zimmerman appears to have concluded that young Trayvon Martin was "suspicious" based on nothing more than his race and the fact that Trayvon was walking in Zimmerman's neighborhood.

Sadly, such assumptions are made about black youth every day. And they play out in a million disastrous ways.

They play out in schools across the country, where black youth receive far more discipline referrals than their white counterparts for similar kinds of minor misbehavior. They're apparent in the statistics that show black youths are much more likely to be stopped by police and to be arrested than their white peers for similar offenses.

Black youth are seen as bad kids — "combatants," in the words of one police chief whose officers routinely mace school children as a means of discipline.

Just this week, the Southern Poverty Law Center continued its fight against such assumptions, testifying in Miami at a U.S. Department of Justice hearing on issues of violence against children.

Trayvon represents the hundreds of thousands of African-American men and boys in Florida who are viewed by our criminal and juvenile justice system as sub-human and disposable.

Sub-human. Disposable. Even in the larger world.

Trayvon was returning from buying candy and iced tea at a nearby convenience store, walking through a gated community in Sanford where his father was staying. He was presumed to be up to no good.

His assailant, George Zimmerman, has been presumed by local police to have acted in self-defense.

It's called a double standard.

And it's having a disastrous impact on the young people of color in our country.

In Trayvon's name, we must do better.

Comments

Comments (58)

Subscribe to Comments

Dana B on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 09:48.

Are you guys taking up the case for the family? I sure hope so!! This is insanity.

Laura on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 09:50.

I believe it is very important to include the information that Trayvon Martin was killed by his assailant. The unfortunate fact is that many folx would not go to the trouble of looking up such information!
Solidarity, and prayer and love to Martin's family.

Danise on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 10:07.

Yes, we must do better. America and in many ways, the world is in a very sad state. I have two small sons and I am bracing myself against this world of hate and intolerance. I am also preparing them to be mindful of the state of race in Our America. I am Trayvon. My sons are Trayvon.

Hogtowner on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 10:15.

The Martin case is complicated (at least officially) by Florida's Stand Your Ground law, which puts the burden of proof in a 'self-defense' case squarely upon the corpse.
We need to fight against these laws in Florida and the other states that have adopted them. In most other states a person has the obligation to retreat from danger. It seems obvious, but are there statistics gathered yet to illustrate in which states you are the least likely to end up dead of gun violence?
In the mean time, we may need to prosecute Zimmerman on Federal charges, since this is becoming a transparently, racially motivated hate crime. Thanks again to SPLC for putting and keeping this case in the spotlight.

Patrice Ridgeway on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 11:55.

I teach at a racially diverse community college in Georgia and this morning I deviated from my prepared lecture to discuss Trayvon's murder. Many of my students are recent high school grads who are not much older than Trayvon. Needless to say, some of them were not aware of the situation and those who were expressed their anger and disbelief. This has been a wake up call for too many of our youth who believe that these types of tragedies are part of our past. It is a reminder that racial profiling continues to be a very real issue. Unfortunately, it continues to result in the loss of a young, vibrant, African American men. My students and I grieve for the Trayvon and his family.

Katherine Lahti on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 15:04.

I hope the Southern Poverty Law Center will take this case up, but more importantly Zimmerman needs to be indicted for a hate crime because that's what this is. I haven't heard people talking about it as a hate crime, but they should be.

Steven Harper on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 21:40.

@Katherine: You're right on both observations. SPLC needs to bolster the Martin family's legal team with their tenacious, knowledgable legal expertise. And the message needs to be repeated loudly: this is a hate crime.

Gene F. Summers on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 17:02.

I sincerely hope SPLC will offer its resources and legal skills to the Martin family in pursuit of justice. Zimmerman absolutely must be charged and convicted of murder. Let the conviction of Zimmerman send a loud and clear message to all America and to the world. Yes, we must do better. But simply admitting that fact in a public statement is not sufficient. Those who engage in hate crimes must be brought to justice. A slap on the wrist does not rise to the bar of justice. The law is sufficiently clear with regard to hate crimes. So bring the resources of SPLC to the aid of the Martin family and all families who are victims of hate crimes. SPLC is our best hope for the immediate future. Thank you for what you do!!

Alec on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 17:54.

I remember back when Rodney King was beaten, people seemed to love calling it an "Isolated Incident". Most any black man knew that wasn't true.
I won't go as far as asking why are people so shocked and outraged but really, this is just business as usual in AmeriKKKa.
How about Craig Anderson who was set upon and murdered by two truck loads of white kids looking to beat a... well, you know what word they used.
I'd like to see a listing of black men who were assaulted or killed just for being black. I would do it myself but I'd probably get too frustrated.
It's true that a black man can't be sure that when he steps outside that he'll come back alive.
(Hmm. The preview shows this post a one continuous paragraph. If that is how it looks, let it be know that I did space it.)

Mike on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 19:28.

No disrespect intended, but shouldn't the facts be gathered before we pass judgement? I didn't see anyone mention the fact that Mr. Zimmerman is also a minority. Let's suppose for a minute that Mr. Zimmerman did retreat with the same result, and available evidence; would this make it ok? There is nothing wrong with castle/stand your ground laws. However, there is plenty wrong with passing judgement, before we have all the facts.

Leslie on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 12:45.

It has been over a month since the killing. At the time of the killing Zimmerman was not questioned by police, or tested for drugs or alcohol. However, the body of Trayvon was tested for drugs and alcohol at the scene of the murder. Furthermore, Zimmerman has loaded up his u-haul and left town according to neighbors. The police seem to be letting him get away before they even start their investigation. Investigations are usually conducted within the first few days of the murder, not after the suspect has left town. Please ask yourself if the shooter had been black and the victim white do you really think they would still be investigating the incident without an arrest?

Jordan on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 04:04.

Travyon's tragic death certainly requires a re-examination of gun laws in the United States. Yes, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms. This right, however, should not be unlimited. This is particularly true when castle or "stand your ground" laws impede due process. Mr. Zimmerman has not been arraigned for alleged murder. His lawyers have used "stand your ground" as a means to block the commencement of a criminal case. Any person who shoots and kills another person, even if that person is exonerated for self-defense after due process, must take his or her place in a court of law. If Mr. Zimmerman does not go to court, the state of Florida affirms by default that "stand your ground" can be used to justify almost any suspected murder.
We are all Trayvon if justice is not served.

Mike on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 22:45.

If a Grand Jury, after hearing the evidence refuses to indict Mr. Zimmerman, now what do you do? They can't use stand your ground laws to 'block' a Grand Jury hearing of the facts. What if they indict him, he goes to trial and is found guilty? Would that satisfy you that the stand your ground law is ok? What if the races were reversed, and the law protected a black man from someone trying to do him harm. Would it be ok then? The greater tragedy here is the loss of this young man's life being used to advance a political agenda. Let's get the facts and let due process have it's say.

TheSapient on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 17:38.

Fact 1: Zimmerman was armed
Fact 2: Trayvon was unarmed
Fact 3: Zimmerman pursued Martin in violation of the orders relayed by the 911 operator
Fact 4: A fight ensued, though no witnesses claim to have seen who threw the first punch
Fact 5: Zimmerman shot and killed Martin
So, now that we've gotten that straightened out, lets see your justification for a law that draws the line between self-defence and murder at "who threw the first punch" and puts the burden of proof on the deceased. A law where by I can walk down the street, follow an unarmed person, confront them, and - so long as I make sure no one sees me strike first - kill them and have every right to plead self-defence.

helen raisz on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 19:41.

I'd like to send my condolences for Trayvon, and for America. The'60's were so promising. With every war we fight overseas, we go backward from Martin Luther King's idea of the beloved community.

Pamela G. Faughn on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 00:19.

My heart aches for Trayvon's parents. But not only for Trayvon's parents, but every parent of color in America. Every day parents of non-white children worry that their child could be mistreated, injured, or even killed for no other reason than the color of their skin. This unspeakable crime will perhaps move Americans to finally confront the fact that that their are people that harbor such profound hate in their hearts for anyone with a different skin color than themselves that they would even murder innocent children in cold blood.

robin on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 07:38.

while im glad this is on the front of your website, i was waiting for you to say something more than its a double standard. this is a federal hate crime, it violates a person's human rights and while all the work of the SPLC is important, i feel this is a national crisis and i would like to see you in the forefront speaking out and making sure that justice is served. @Mike. the facts are very clear and have been reported on by numerous sources including the police in the town where the crime occurred. and the "castle" to which you are referring is not a "neighborhood", even the sponsors of the "stand your ground bill" agree the shooter should be arrested.

wendy buxton on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 08:33.

Horrifically, what happened to Trayvon was almost inevitable. The misguided "stand your ground law", has so broadened the latitude for use of deadly force. Put a gun in the hands of an individual, not trained in discretion and diversionary tactics, and unbridled instinct will take over. George Zimmerman's apparent propensity to profile racially and his desire to be the hero of the neighborhood was the fuse looking for a match. The law must be repealed! The specifics of this case demand that Zimmerman be arrested and tried with the objective evidence considered.
I am heartened by the outpouring of support and action across the country. We must not let Trayvon's young life of promise end without effective change and restored hope for all of us, especially our youth.

Pete on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 08:57.

Thank you for your closing words, Denise, above. This is supposed to have ended in the 60's. I guess there is no expiration date on hate. We are all victims of this madness. No one of us is safe in such an atmosphere of fear. Did we learn nothing from the savage pummeling of Emmit Till? Maybe Trayvon's casket ought to remain open, a reminder to us all who we are v who we ought to be. For the record, I'm an outraged geezer white guy who's been around the world and fought for liberty in foreign lands. I grew up among my white, black, brown, boy and girl friends; I've worked and fought alongside of and for people of other cultures, religions, and skin colors. And I have loved every one of 'em as my brothers and my sisters. In the end, when we allow this to happen again and again, regardless who we think we are, we are all Trayvon.

Cynthia on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 09:23.

I was hoping to learn about the Florida law and similar laws under this topic. I understood that the "self-defense" defense is used when one is accused of a crime, such as homicide - not just magic words to eliminate any legal responsibility. Why is it sufficient in Florida to just say "self-defense" and police officers can make a legal determination as to the truth or falsity of the statement? What about the victim's possible self-defense claim? I was also hoping to see some analysis of the states which have this "stand your ground" law. If the only thing the person alleging self-defense has to do is ensure that there are no witnesses and the alleged assailant is dead, what kind of legal redress can anyone expect? When this stand your ground defense has been invoked in other states, what was the racial/economic status of those involved? I don't understand how this law could apply under these circumstances and it make any sense other than concluding that there was complete disregard for the victim's, his family's, and the state's legal rights.

Mike on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 12:18.

As I said above, let's not pass judgment till the facts are in. The supposed 'facts' that we hear in the media are hearsay until accepted by the court. I do agree that Mr. Zimmerman should have been arrested, but let's not turn into vigilantes ourselves and tri him in the court of public opinion. As far as the laws are concerned. Their effectiveness will be determined through due process, and needed changes will be made. It sounds more like a change is needed in the arrest policy of the PD under these circumstamces. However, it seems to be working as well. As this is investigated further, more information is coming to light, and due process will have the final word. As it should be.

Nacole S on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 16:35.

Mike, the facts are in and they say a child has been murdered due to the color of his skin and a trigger happy neighborhood watchman. It is obvious that you don’t have any idea what a black family goes through in everyday life. Do you feel any type of emotion for Trayvon or his family? Due process is LONG overdue for African-Americans.

Mike on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 22:27.

Seeing as I am a minority, your comment makes no sense. If we convict Mr. Zimmerman in the court of opinion, then we become the monster that we accuse him of being. Let's get the facts, let due process have its day, and be willing to accept the results. I find it interesting that I'm being accused for a lack of understanding, when I have said nothing more than to follow due process. If Mr. Zimmerman is not indicted, not guilty, or guilty, so be it. If the process reveals flaws in the process, or laws, then fix them. Right now it appears the only acceptable result is to find him guilty, execute him, repeal every self defense law ever created, and confiscate everyone's firearms, regardless of weather they had anything to do with it or not. Yes Trayvon's death is tragic, let's not compound that tragedy by turning this into a trial of public opinion to advance a political agenda. Travon, his family, and Mr. Zimmerman deserve better than that.

MAR-Baltimore on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 22:45.

My heart is full of sadness for the parents and family of Trayvon Martin and my heart is full of sadness for the parents of all children of color. The sadness I feel is due in part to recognizing that the tragedy of Trayvon’s death is serving as yet another tipping point for American’s waning appetite for and complicity in continuing both subtle and overt racism that folks of color contend with daily. It has never crossed my mind to educate my son when he was 8 years old how to navigate in a world that has convicted you before you walk out of your home. This appears to be the age when youth of color are taught how to “walk while black.”

Alex on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 09:09.

I dont know why people would do this. It should not matter what race you are or who you are this should not happen in our country. I am 14 years old and I would hate it if i died at this age.

Erik on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 18:40.

At 14 years old, seems to me that you're one of the smartest people out there. You are right when you say this should not be happening. It really shouldn't matter what race Trayvon was either. When a member of society is lost, we all lose.

Scott Haas on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 20:15.

This could be one of my grandkids. Each time I read a news report of the pursuit and gunning down of this young man I tear up. I know it could someday be my family directly affected in the same way. In a small way I feel the pain this family is bearing because of the fear it could be one of my own family. When I see Trayvon's face he looks no different than my grandkids who are also "guilty" of "being black and wearing a hoodie". I keep reading that Zimmerman "probably cannot be prosecuted" because he acted in self defense and was within the scope of the law. How is stalking, confronting then shooting to death an unarmed teen carrying Skittle, Iced Tea and holding a cell phone to his ear self defense? Where is the evidence this WAS self defense? If this man is not prosecuted for this murder he must be sued civilly for wrongful death and the verdict should be so huge he will see little of what he earns for the remainder of his life. If he cannot be locked up, as he should be, his life should not be one of any substance and a gated community should never again be in his future. Looking beyond the race issue and the hate crime implications, in my mind, this was simply premeditated murder of a young man walking home. Trayvon was being stalked by Zimmerman. Not the other way around. Where is the self defense? I am baffled.
I am not a death penalty proponent but I am in favor of life sentences for a crime as heinous as this one. He needs to be locked up for life. If anything good could come from this it is that this is proof that racism still runs very deep in all segments of our society and is still rooted in the various levels of authority. Being black is often the same as "being guilty" and that attitude is enforced by our "justice" and "law enforcement" system. This must end. The final indignity in Trayvon's life came about when his body was tested for substances and Zimmerman was assumed clean and was not. I am deeply affected by this to my very core and I will continue to write and sign petitions until the sanity is returned to this "verdict" by the police in Sanford and this man is arrested for murder. The police chief and the officers present need to be held to account for this gross injustice and their employment terminated. We cannot be silent on this matter.

Joshua on Sat, 03/24/2012 - 19:36.

This incident really gives the lie to the concept of "post-racial America". It is evident that we are most certainly not living in a post-racial nation. If Mr. Zimmerman had been black, he would most certainly have been arrested immediately and likely put in maximum security confinement until his trial, which would have undoubtedly resulted in a guilty verdict and a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. As it is, Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law is little more than a facade for legalized murder. Removing the requirement that a person must retreat or otherwise attempt to escape the situation before using lethal force means that anyone can imitate Mr. Zimmerman and non-judicially execute anyone they subjectively determine to be a threat to their life. Please give your legal assistance to the Martin family .

Joe on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 07:14.

The commentary bias here is unbelievable! Because the victim was black and the suspect a “white” Hispanic, it simply must be a hate crime, or so goes the mantra. I’m sure most of you never heard of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. In January 2007, in Knoxville,TN, they were carjacked, kidnapped, raped (both of them), tortured and mutilated. Newsom was finally shot several times and his body burned. Christian had a plastic bag tied around her head, was suffocated and her body stuffed in a trash can. Media outrage? None. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson demanding justice? Crickets chirping. The SPLC demanding this be investigated as a hate crime. Didn’t happen. Oh, I forgot to include that the victims were “white” and the subjects were four “black men” and a “black women.” Or what about Edward Shaefer, a 64 year-old, one-eyed Vietnam veteran who was brutally beaten by a group of “youths,” this past January in Philadelphia. Didn’t hear about it? That’s because Shaefer is “white” and the ‘youths’ “black.” Sorry to burst your bubbles, but white men are not the only group that are capable of committing “hate crimes.” There is ample evidence blacks (yes, I know, it’s hard to believe) are just as guilty. When a black is the subject, and a white, Asian or Hispanic is the victim, the media will rarely mention the races involved. But let the victim be black and watch the journalistic indignation begin. Can you say “double standard?”

Irene on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 22:53.

I agree 100%.

Navy Davyd on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 16:03.

the difference is those cases you spoke of the perps were arrested on almost immediately, this case has taken almost a month before the details of the murder was released and the white perp zimmerman is still free to walk the streets and carry his gun.....so lets hear ur protest about that.....so until then ur fake indignation can not be believed....

Sandi Ross on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 17:44.

Are you denying that persons of color are treated different in this country? Different just because of their color, different just being passed on the street, different in how the law is applied, different in the level of punishment is applied, different when stopped for a traffic violation or just stopped by the police with no violation, different when walking in a store, etc, etc! How many hate groups targets are white Americans? The above comments are based on the facts of life for most people of color, not just this case.

Jetson on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:11.

I think stories like these definitely illustrate the stranglehold the media has over what we know and do not know. Nobody hears about white people being beaten, robbed, murdered by non-whites because it is a non-issue, and will not stir the pot. However we have all seen what happens when this occurs to a black person. The media loves to employ the term 'hate crime' as it sells newspapers and commercial space. Fanning the flames of racism is something the media does very well. Just look at the doctored 911 tapes by NBC. Point is, if the victim is black, and the perpetrators are not, we WILL hear about it.

Lynn Davis McClain on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 13:27.

My heart goes out to Trayvon,s family and friends. It is beyond comprehension that a child walking in area that he has every right to be can be killed by someone who was basically stalking him. To make matters worse, Zimmerman says it was self defense. How can it be self defense or justified when the stalker shoots the person they are stalking? Maybe the police need an education on Florida's use of force laws.

Jeremy on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 17:31.

Words cannot begin to describe the shock that I am in regarding this incident. The fact that popular culture is so racist that they would assume (with no factual support) that Mr. Zimmerman used force because of Trayvon's skin color is incredibly disturbing. You all should be ashamed of yourselves for imputing such ill-motives to Mr. Zimmerman without knowing the situation. Read the reports, and listen to the audio from the 911 call at the scene--someone who is being attacked has every right to defend himself.
The average American has been so indoctrinated to believe that blacks are oppressed by whites that they will throw another minority under the bus!! What is wrong with us?
Finally, those of you who want the government punishing this (or anything) as a "hate crime"--think again. What is hate? It is a feeling, an emotion. Do you honestly want the government to start punishing emotions? Every crime is an expression of hate toward someone or something. Government can only punish actions. We are stepping into dangerous waters if we allow the government to punish based on something it cannot even see or determine.
It's time for us all to wake up and realize that we are asking for the government to punish a minority for racism, when every piece of real evidence shows that Mr. Zimmerman (a Hispanic) was defending himself from an attack.

Nacole S on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 16:57.

How was Zimmerman defending himself? Zimmerman approached Trayvon. It’s amazing that some individuals are so blinded when it comes to a hate crime because the victim is black. As you pointed out earlier, the audio clearly proves Zimmerman is guilty of harassing a child- A child that was walking alone, minding his own business, while talking on the phone with his girlfriend. If Zimmerman would have listened to the 911 operator and NOT approached Trayvon, a young child would still be alive today.

Thomas Symington on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 09:24.

It is said that first degree murder cannot be pursued in this case as it does not have the merits, is this not those merits?
1. George Zimmerman profiled a young black male as a target of his unofficial law enforcement.
2. George Zimmerman carried his loaded weapon in pursuit of said "suspicious" character. Against the instructions of the police 911 dispatcher.
3. George Zimmerman with said weapon, intended to shoot the victim, and even called him a "F**king Coon" and made the racially tinged comment that "these assholes always get away".
We need justice for Trayvon now, not a biased investigation by a racially motivated special prosecutor. If anyone has not signed the petition at change.org, please do so and make it soon. Thanks.

RRoberts on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 16:45.

What is most interesting about Mr. Cohen's comments is that he leaps to the same type of assumptions regarding Mr. Zimmerman that he accuses others of regarding black males. Apparently the terms 'due process' and 'innocent until proven guilty' do not hold much meaning for Mr. Cohen. Or at least when it does not fit his political agenda.

iOWAN 2 on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 16:45.

The jump to conviction is most troubling. The injuries suffered by Zimmerman are consistant with self defense. The testimony of the eye witness is consistant with self defense. The decision of the police on the scene is consistant with self defense. The rest of this is nothing but shameless race baiting. The evidence shows Zimmerman a member of a mixed race family. Hardly the environnment that breeds racist bigots.
My conclusion is most respondents on this board are, by evidence more racist than Zimmerman.

Irene on Tue, 03/27/2012 - 22:47.

While I agree that Trayvon's death is horrible, I don't believe anyone can make a sound judgement on Zimmerman's guilt or innocence until all the evidence and facts are gathered. There are too many variations of what happened to be able to make that judgement yet. I believe the Media has tried and convicted George Zimmerman since day one, without having had all the facts of the case. We live in The United States of America, where we ALL have Constitutional Rights, such as the 14th Admendment. I will wait until ALL evidence and ALL facts are gathered before putting the needle in George Zimmerman's arm.

Phillip on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 09:57.

When a handcuffed, young black man in Oakland was shot through the back and killed, there was little media attention.
It was the establishment versus the people.
But when a "white man" shot and killed a "black man", we now have racial division.
This media attention to this story is to divide us. White vs Black.
Cut it out.

Sonja on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 11:08.

The death of Mr. Martin, though a tragedy, does provide us with the opportunity to look at the underlying societal ills that continue to cause these types of events. And although I am not privy to the facts and have gleamed my understanding from others, it appears that Mr. Zimmerman had, like all of us, been exposed to life experiences that formed and, perhaps, clouded his judgment. He saw crimes and misdeeds all around him and, thereby, Trayvon was just an innocent person caught in Mr. Zimmerman' s miscolored vision. The cure for this or the lessons here, let us pause and reflect on our conduct. Are we engaging in activities that could have dire effects on others? in closing, as an African American woman I have always believed that the societal ism's seeded in us are the true culprits, and the actions that flow come from these. Look at the Jews, Jesus, Whites, Blacks, Indians. All had conflicts, and are we not of different races? Food for thought: Is racism the manifestation of seeded sin ? How you answere these questions probably will not legally excuse Mr. Zimmerman's conduct., rather, it is for you the reader to walk away feeling better about your self and holding Mr. Zimmerman accountable in love, not hate.

Esrold Bentley on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 13:00.

I found a post on Facebook today, www.facebook.com/WICIR, that talks about stopping the "stand your ground" laws, or as the post calls them "license to kill" laws, that are in almost half of our states now, and was the justification for allowing Zimmerman to go free. Is there any way for us (the public) to help challenge and maybe reverse these laws, so, once again, racists may think twice about wantonly killing innocent people of color? Do you know of any organization that is dedicated to stopping these laws?

George on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 14:57.

Why don't talk about the Nation of Islam bounty on Zimmerman? Isn't that a Hate Crime? Zimmerman may well be executed by this group before he even gets arrested by the police for the shooting.

oldpol on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 01:57.

Mr Zimmerman claims he had his nose broken and his head slammed on the concrete. Well the videos of him getting out of the police car on the night of the murder. Zimmerman is spotless. Head wounds bleed profusely and a broken nose would also bleed. There is not one drop of blood on Zimmerman. Even if he had 'wounds' treated on site there would have been blood on his clothes. Further, his father is a Florida State Magistrate and his mother a court clerk. It's not a big stretch to see how this murder was ignored.
http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/surveillance-tapes-show-zimmerman...

Brian Ewton on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 02:41.

I'd love to see the SPLC powerhouse take charge of this Trayvon Martin ordeal. I saw the police station video on the Ed Show tonight, it looked like business as usual. Someone needs to be there that does not "owe" anybody in florida, it seems like they were all in on it.

JayTee on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 08:47.

This pretty much blows Zimmerman's lies about being attacked out of the water. Also, everyone keeps complaining that they're showing an old photo of Trayvon. Many news outlets are also using an old picture of Zimmerman--he's no longer fat, and as you will see in the video, looks quite fit. I don't think a tall and trim (unarmed) teenager should have scared him.
http://news.yahoo.com/trayvon-martin-video-shows-no-blood-bruises-george...

Joe on Thu, 03/29/2012 - 23:07.

Yes, there is still much wrong assumption about race and crime here and in many countries, but...
If you listen to the 911 tapes of this case Zimmerman called Martin "suspicious" based on clothing and actions. At that point he told the dispatcher that he wasn't sure of Martin's race. Understandable, since Zimmerman was then behind Martin, it was dark, and Maritn's had a hood over his head. Only later did Zimmerman recognize Martin's race.

T.L. on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 12:02.

Can we document that his father is a magistrate or judge?

Attila on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 23:18.

Everything is hearsay and supposition. The only one who could know what really happened is the alleged killer.